#2. David Kampf
Stats with the Leafs:
Regular Season:
Games Played: 82
Goals: 7
Assists: 20
Playoffs:
Games Played: 11
Goals: 0
Assists: 3
Contract Status:
Signed a 4-year extension that runs through 2026-27 at $2.4M AAV.
Overall Thoughts:
David Kampf plays defense well and kills penalties. He also takes many of the Leafs defensive zone face-offs despite only winning slightly over 50 percent of them. When he’s on the ice, it’s much ado about nothing. It’s like drinking a non-alcoholic beer.
Kampf’s role on the Leafs is clear, but sometimes it’s hard to say if he’s a third-line or fourth line center. If you look at the numbers he puts up in the 15 minutes he gets a game, you’d have to think he’s anchoring the latter.
He doesn’t make life miserable for the opposition and he doesn’t go to the ‘greasy’ areas. Despite being heralded by teammates for his workout regimen, Kampf rarely throws any jarring bodychecks and was 13th on the team last year in blocked shots.
If you watch closely, Kampf spends a good amount of time each shift with the seat of his shorts on the ice. It seems he gets bowled over quite easily.
For a bottom third player on the roster, one would think that the Leafs could find a grittier forward who throws his weight around more than Kampf. Even one capable of playing in the top-six for spot duty when injuries set in. Especially at a third of his cost.
Kampf is durable, though, and he seems well liked by teammates, but his production last year was not enough of a factor.